Goodhart's optical landing system made jet recovery safer

Commander Nicholas Goodhart began with the rising losses caused by jets approaching faster than the aircraft for which many surviving carriers had been designed. A tired pilot needed guidance that was visible at long range, easy to interpret, and continuously available without diverting attention from flying. Fresnel optics could project a clear reference while surrounding lights showed whether the aircraft was above, below, or on the correct approach path. The pilot could therefore make corrections earlier while keeping attention on the approach. Seventeen approaches with a Sea Vampire aboard HMS Illustrious demonstrated the system over two days, and a U.S. Navy observer reported how simple it was to fly. British success led to U.S. trials in 1955 and helped make high-speed carrier recovery substantially safer.